Mark Pope Reflects on Kentucky's First Season

For Kentucky, a 10-8 finish in the SEC and a No. 12 ranking in the final AP Poll might seem modest by the program’s storied standards. But viewed in context, it was an impressive showing, especially for a team led by a first-year head coach navigating a league this deep.

Pope’s Perspective

Mark Pope, a former Wildcat player and first-year head coach, had no illusions about the challenge ahead. Speaking with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Pope described the season as a defining moment in his coaching journey.

“It was the greatest experience of my basketball coaching career, by far,” he said. “Last year, I was blessed to coach in the Big 12. That was an incredible league. But I don’t think college basketball has ever seen a league like the SEC last season.”

Pope pointed to the SEC’s sheer volume of elite teams, not just those who reached the NCAA Tournament, but those who made deep runs. “We had seven teams in the Sweet 16. That’s unheard of,” he added.

Kentucky’s tournament run ended early, and it was eliminated by another SEC opponent, but the experience left a lasting impression. “You live for moments like that as a competitor,” Pope said. “The fan bases, the venues, the coaches, it was humbling and inspiring.”

Laying a Foundation

Statistically, the league’s dominance was backed by KenPom’s analytics. The SEC’s collective Net Rating of 22.09 in 2024-25 was the highest ever recorded, surpassing historic seasons from the 1997 and 2004 ACC. For Kentucky to emerge with a winning record in conference, despite injuries and inconsistency, suggests a strong foundation was laid.

Looking ahead to 2025-26, the SEC isn’t expected to maintain the same top-to-bottom depth, but it remains a national force. With an upgraded roster and Pope more familiar with the league’s demands, Kentucky is expected to contend for a conference title.

“We’re building something,” Pope said. “Last season taught us a lot. Now we get to apply it.” This upcoming season will be a proving point for Pope and the Wildcats, as they look to now get over the hump and back into the National Championship picture.